Abdicatechnology

News Type: Other — Mon May 8, 2006 1:54 PM EDT

I've been thinking about something lately. What do you call it when you voluntarily give up control of some piece of your life, because technology makes it easier? For example:

Automatic transmission cars. Give up a little control, gain a little less to worry about.
Email filters. Save me from spam, even if it's not always perfect.
TiVo. Perfect example. Just tape stuff you think I'll like, ok?

There are more examples every day. In a way, the march of technology is all about the speed at which it takes over the little things we used to do ourselves. Personally, I remember having to take my own messages, have computers and phones tied to land lines, and look up information in card catalogs. I wonder what things I do now that someday some new technology will do for me?

What do you think the phenomenon should be called?

11 Votes
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0.8

{"commentId":119550,"authorDomain":"fdbryant3"}

FDBryant3

Personally I look forward to the day when technology can drive for me.

{"commentId":119550,"threadId":"29875","contentId":"190847","authorDomain":"fdbryant3"}

1 vote

#1 - Mon May 8, 2006 6:39 PM EDT

{"commentId":119648,"authorDomain":"eyequeue"}

eyequeue

Auto-pilots on our (long-awaited) flying cars.

{"commentId":119648,"threadId":"29875","contentId":"190847","authorDomain":"eyequeue"}

2 votes

#1.1 - Mon May 8, 2006 9:03 PM EDT

{"commentId":119613,"authorDomain":"DrJuice"}

Dr Juice

I've noticed I can't remember phone numbers to save my life anymore thanks to cell phones.

{"commentId":119613,"threadId":"29875","contentId":"190847","authorDomain":"DrJuice"}

1 vote

#2 - Mon May 8, 2006 8:08 PM EDT

{"commentId":119894,"authorDomain":"leboit"}

Howard NobleRestored

How about typing in your response to some event in a blog or newsvine rather than going out into the world and getting involved in a way that might change things.

{"commentId":119894,"threadId":"29875","contentId":"190847","authorDomain":"leboit"}

#3 - Tue May 9, 2006 7:46 AM EDT

{"commentId":120211,"authorDomain":"fdbryant3"}

FDBryant3

Well don't see why you can't do both. Although concepts like the virtual march are bit silly in my opinion.

Now I do think games like Second Life are going to become more prevalent and provide a forum for attending meetings, concerts, school, lectures, and what have you.

{"commentId":120211,"threadId":"29875","contentId":"190847","authorDomain":"fdbryant3"}

1 vote

#3.1 - Tue May 9, 2006 1:51 PM EDT

{"commentId":131082,"authorDomain":"powazek"}

Derek Powazek

More examples:

Transitions Lenses: Glasses that auto-darken in sunlight.
Car Stereos that automatically adjust the volume of whatever you're listening to in response to engine noise.
iTunes can auto-fill an iPod with a special selection of tunes, based on some unknown algorithm.

{"commentId":131082,"threadId":"29875","contentId":"190847","authorDomain":"powazek"}

#4 - Sat May 20, 2006 3:48 PM EDT

{"commentId":1029480,"authorDomain":"goth"}

gothDeleted

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DEREK POWAZEK

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Abdicatechnology

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